Mississippi lawmaker makes new mobile betting push

Mississippi Representative Cedric Burnett has resurrected a bill to legalize mobile wagering in the state, having previously seen a similar proposal die without progressing to a committee hearing in 2019. 

Burnett’s House Bill 172 aims to revise the state Gaming Control Act’s definition of a sports pool, and to define a platform as a person or entity that operates a sports pool or racebook over the internet. 

While the Act currently states that wagers may only be placed by individuals present on a licensed vessel or cruise vessel, this would be changed to allow betting via approved platforms. 

These platforms, provided they are licensed as a distributor by the Mississippi Gaming Commission, could be operated on behalf of a bricks-and-mortar sports betting licensee. The current $500 fee for a seller's license would also apply to to distributors, with a further $500 payable to renew the certification.

Sports betting revenue exceeding $134,0000, that is generated through online and mobile platforms, would be subject to a 6% gross revenue tax, in addition to the 8% tax on all other revenue.

Read the full story on iGB North America.